Apparatus for mounting valve stems on inner tubes



APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING VALVE STEMS 0N INNER TUBES Filed Oct. 16, 19.39 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTOR N EYS Feb. 10, 1942. R D- HULSLAND'ER .2,272,894

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING VALVE STEMS ON INNER TUBES l Filed Oct. 16, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Feb, l0, 1942, R. D. HULSLANDER APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING VALVE STEMS ON INNER TUBES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fiied oct. A16, 1939 INVENTOR Qay/yz/J/afmaf ATTORNEYS Feb. l0, i942. R. D. HULsLANDER 2,272,894

APPARATUS FOR-MOUNTING VALVESTMS ON INNER TUBES Filed Oct. 16, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Feb. 1o, 1942."4 R. n.l HULSLANDER 2,272,894

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING VALVE s'TEMs oN INNER TUBES Filed oct. 1e, 1959 s sheets-sheet 5 lno M64 INVENToR ayalrlmzakr ATTORNEYS Patentecl Feb. 10, 1942 APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING VALVE STEMS ON INNER TUBES Ray D. Hulslander, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 16, 1939, Serial No. 299,681

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for mounti ing valve stems on inner tubes and the like, and more especially it relates to apparatus capable of cyclic operation for performing the successive operations of forming an aperture in the wall of a rubber tube and thereafter mounting a valve stem on the tube over said aperture.

The chief objects of the invention are to conserve time and labor in the manufacture of inner tubes for pneumatic tires; to produce a superior product by effecting accurate registry of the aperture in the tube wall with the axial passage 1n the valve stem; and to press the base fiange of the valve stem firmly into adhesive engagement with the tube wall concurrently with the application of the valve stem to the latter. Other objects will be manifest as the description proceeds.

Of the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying the invention, in inoperative position, a portion of the housing structure being broken away and in section to reveal enclosed mechamsm;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, a portion of the housing structure being broken away;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical section through a slide, and mechanism carried thereby including a punch and a chuck, and a rubber valve stem positioned Within the latter, the resp-ective mechanisms being shown in inoperative position; E

Figure 4 is a section. on the line 4-1-4 of Figure 3, on a smaller scale, showing the mechanism as it appears when the slide is in partly lowered position;

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the punch and chuck as they appear during the operation of punching an aperture in the wall of a rubber tube;-

Figure 6 is a section similar to Flgure 5 showing the structure in inverted position as it appears during the operation of applying a valve stem to an apertured tube structure;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the index co1- lar of the apparatus, as it appears during a rotative place of operation; and

Figure 8 is a detail elevation of detent operating mechanism, parts being broken away and in section;

Figure 9 is a plan View of the chuck portion of the apparatus, with presser pad removed for clearness of illustration; and

Fig, 10 is a wiring diagram of the motor of the apparatus and its controls. Briey stated, the apparatus of the invention comprises a vertically reciprocable slide in which is journaled a horizontal shaft, the forward end of the latter carrying a structure disposed transversely thereof, one end of said lstructure consisting of a punch, the other end of the structure consisting of a chuck that is co-axial with said punch and adapted to receive and grip a rubber valve stem. Mechanism is provided for rotating the shaft through during the latter.

part of each rising movement of the slide, the shaft being held against rotation during the entire downward movement of the slide. Thus the structure carried on the end of the shaft is enabled to present first its punch-end to the werk, and then to present its chuck-end thereto for applying the valve stem to the Work over the aperture formed therein by the punch. Thus it requires two reciprocations of the slide to effect a cycle of operation, and means is provided fory stopping the operation of the machine after each cycle is completed, the starting thereof being performed manually, when the operator is ready.

Referring now to the drawings, especially Figures 1 and 2 thereof, it will be seen that the apparatus comprises a housing I0 that consists of a metal casting having base, front, and lateral walls, the top and rear margins of the lateral walls being arcuate, and supporting a removable cover II. 'Ihe housing is mounted upon any suitable stand or table (not shown) the latter being of such height that the apparatus is conveniently positioned for manual operation. Mounted within the housing upon brackets I2, I2 that project from the respective lateral walls thereof is a motor I3, which motor includes a reduction gear device I4 mounted upon an end thereof, the reduction gear device being supported upon brackets I5, I5 projecting from the lateral walls of the housing. The drive shaft I6 of the reduction -gear `device projects forwardly therefrom and carries thereon a crank vI'I, there being a gear I8 mounted upon the hub portion of said crank. The free end of the crank I'I is pivotally connected to one end of a pitman or link I9, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of a slide 20 that is mounted for Vertical movement in dovetail slideways 2| that are formed on the front wall of the housing I0 at each side of a central vertical slot or opening 22 therein. The arrangement is such that rotation of the crank l1 will lower and raise the slide 20.

Secured to opposite lateral walls of the housing I is a bracket 24 that spans the interior of the housing, above the drive shaft |6. J ournaled upon a suitable stub shaft projecting laterally from the bracket 24 is a pinion 25 that is meshed with gear I8, and has twice as many teeth as the latter, the arrangement requiring two revolutions of gear |8 to eifect one revolution of pinion 25. Mounted upon the hub of pinion 25 is a cam 26 that is affixed theretoand which projects beyond the perimeter of said pinion.y The bracket 24 is formed locally with an upward extension 24a, and secured to a lateral face thereof, over the pinion 25 is a spacer block 21. cured to the lateral face of spacer block 2l is an electrical limit switch 28, the operating plunger of which projects downwardly into the 0rbit1ofv the cam 2G so as to be operated thereby upon each revolution of said cam. The switch28-is in the electrical circuit ofthe motor- I3, and' is so constructedand arranged as to open-'said electrical circuit-whenrits plunger'is operated,

and thereby automatically to-v eiect the stopping` of-operation of said'motor.` The electrical circuit ofthe motor` (Figurel) also includes start and stop switches |45-and l |46,` respectively, for manual operation by an operator Yaspresently willbe described.

The slide 23-isformed-on its-rear, at the'bottom thereof, with `a-.bracket portion- 30 that is disposed interiorlyof'the housing. I0., and carries.

spaced apart bearings. 3|., 31|, Figure. 3,- which bearingssupporta horizontalV shaft. 32 that extends-beyond. both ends. of saidsbracket. The. shaft 32.is.arranged. tobe rotated half .a `revolu` tion lin. determinate. time relation tofthe. raising. and lowering of the slide 26,1 andtothisend has a ratchet 33. keyed thereon, immediatelyv behind thelbracket 30.. Besidetheratchet 33flthe shaft has journaled thereon. aratchet .cup 31|'.rthatv en.- circlessaid ratchet 33, there beinga bearing. bushing 35,. Figure3,. between. the shaft .and ratchet cup.A Theratcheti is formedlwithtwo teeth disposed 180 apart, which teeth areadapted. for. engagement. with a.-4 similarly. positioned pair. of spring-pressed pawls., 36,. 35i.. that .are mounted upon vrespective pivot: pins; 3:1 carried by the. ratchet cup 34; Thearrangement is such that when the ratchet cup, 34 is turned angularly in `counter-clockwise direction as. viewed, in Fig.-4 ure 4 the pawls 36, will. engage. the teethof. ratchet 33and turnthe latter. and shaf,t."i2.simi,v larly in counter-clockwise direction. Where the ratchet cupis moved in `clockwise direction, the pawls slideover the ratchetzand. no. movement of the latter results.

Foreffecting angular movement ofthe ratchet cup 34 about its axis, a pinion 38 is mounted upon the hub portion of said ratchet cup. The pinion`38, is formed with gear teethbnly on, about two-thirds of its perimeter, the remaindercf the latter consisting of two plane faces 39, 40, Figure 4, disposed at right angles to` each other. Cooperating with the pinion 38 is a. vertically disposedrack-M that is mounted upon a bracketlike formation 42, extending from one of the lateral walls of. the. housing I0. The rack 4l is formed with teeth only at its upper end and has a plane surface 43 below said teeth, thenumber of teeth on the rack being sufficient to impart a little over 180 of movement to the pinion 38.@- In the downward movement of the slide 20,-- the pinion is rotated in clockwise direction-by the [half-revolution.V During `theremay be. alittle lost motion of the ratchet rack 4| until the plane face 39 of the pinion 38 rests flush against the plane surface 43 of the rack 4| below the teeth of the latter. This occurs when the slide is about midway of its descending movement, th-e pinion thereafter sliding along said rack face 43 without further angular movement. The procedure is reversed during the rising movement of the slide, the teeth of pinion 38 then being engaged by the rack teeth, midway of said rising movement, with the result that said gear and the ratchet cup 34 are rotated counter-clockwise through a little over thev pawls 35 thereby engaging ratchet 33 and turning the latter, and the shaft 32, through a the latter operation cup before the pawls 36 engage the teeth of ratchet 33.

To assure that the shaft 32 when stationary always will be securely held in one of two determinateangularpositionsexactly 180 apart, an index collar. 45 is; keyed uponsaid Shaft. between the. bearings. 3|; The 'collar 45 is formed with a medial circumferentialfiange 46, which flange islforrned with twosl,igghtly` tapered sockets 4.1, 41 extending radially inwardly from the perimeter of said nange at -diametrically oppcsitepoints thereof; Formed on theltop of bracket portion 30 of slide. 20` is anupstanding boss, 48 that is formed with an axial bore 49i the lower end ofv said bore being4 of. smaller diameter. and. provided with a tubular: bushing' 50; Mounted in thebore 49landfvextendingfslidably through bushf, ing 50' is a generally cylindrical detent 5|, the lower end` portion of which. is tapered complemental to the taper of. sockets 41 of index collar- 45, in whichsockets-,the tapered endI ofthe detent is receivable. Above the bushing 50,. the detent is formed withA a circumferential` flange 52, and mounted upon` the, detent above said iiange is a` compression spring, 53, The lower. end ofi spring 53-bears against flange 52 and its upper end bears against a,plug.54 thatis. threaded into the bore 49 at the upper end thereof, 4the arrangement being such that the spring normally urges' the -detent'downwardly. The plug 5,4is axially apertured to enable the. detent 5|jto extend therethrough.

It is required that thedetent 5|. be lifted out of engagement withthe sockets 4'|`,of the. index collar 45 during. those. intervals. .that the shaft 32 is being-rotated, the means for eiectingtsuch movement being best shown in FigureV 8.` As shown in said gure, an, operatinglevertiijis plvotally connected Ytothe uppcrfend of thev dctent, andA extends. laterally. therefrom toward `a side-wall of the housing |0, the free end of. said lever being provided with a cam roller.. 51.' The medial region `of .the lever 53 is. slotted atta, and mountedlin, said slot isa roller, 59 that' no1'- mally rests upon the top of the boss 48, between a pair of upstanding. guide-arms, such as the arm 60 A U-shaped guard plate 6|. is mountedupon the top of, arm 601 and spansthe slot `therebetween. Spanning the slot.58'.in Ithe lever is a pin B2 to which one end of ia tension spring 83 is connected, the other` end of the spring being connected to a stud G4 that projects` frcmbracket portion 30 of slide 20. IIhelever 56moves with theslide 20 as the latter is raised and lowered, and a cam 65 is mounted upon the sidewall of the housing I0 in position to engage thecam roller Blas the slide is raised andlowered. The arrangement is such that asy theslidedescends, the cam roller 51 engages the cam. withA the result that the lever 56 is lifted, against the tension of spring 63, sufficiently t'o enable the cam roller to pass the cam, the lever swinging about its pivotal connection to the detent The spring restores the lever 56 to the normal position shown after the cam roller has passed the cam. Upon rising movement of the slide, the cam roller again engages the cam 65, thus causing the lever 56 to tilt about the axis of roller 59 as a fulcrum with the result that the end of the lever connected to detent 5| isl elevated, and the latter lifted axially against the pressure of spring 53. The detent is thereby Withdrawn from engagement with the index collar 45, such withdrawal occurring' before the shaft 32 starts rotating. Tilting of the lever 56 as described enables the cam roller 51 to pass the cam 65, the spring 53 thereafter moving the detent 5| downwardly toward normal position. The shaft 32 at this time has not yet completed 180 of angular movement so that the detent will engage the periphery ofthe index collar flange 46, and ride thereon as shown in Figure 7 until further movement of the collar brings a socket 41 thereof into registry with the detent, the latter then moving into said socket, thereby holding the shaft in determinate angular position. l

That portion of the shaft 32 that projects forwardly of the slide 20 is formed with an enlarged flange portion 32a that is located immediately in front of the front bearing 3|, and embracing said flange portion is a brake band 68. The latter is supported by a circumscribing retainer ring 69 that is secured to the front of the slide, said ring' including any suitable means not shown for adjusting the pressure of the brake band against the shaft. Aclosure plate 10 is secured to the front of the retainer ring to conceal the edge of the brake band. The brake assists in preventingv extending through the head and having a lock- I nut 16 threaded onto its projecting portion.y

Mounted upon the opposite end of the quil1'15 from the nut 16 is a co-axial tubular chuck barrel 11, which barrel is Secured to the quill by means of a tubular collet 18 that extends through the quill, axially thereof, and is threaded into the bore of said chuck barrel. Dowel pins 19 between the quill and the chuck barrel prevent relative angular movement of said members. The non-threaded end portion of the collet is flared and fits into a complementally tapered socket in the quill, there being a plurality of kerfs or narrow slots 18a extending longitudinally of the collet for some distance from the flared end thereof. A socketed member 81 is secured in the axial bore of the collet for receiving a socket wrench by means of which the collet may be rotated to thread it into the chuck barrel 11. The end portion of the quill beyond the nut 16 is of somewhat reduced diameter, and secured to said reduced portion is a generally cylindrical metal cup 88 in which ismounted anelectrical heating element 8|. Axially mounted in said heating element is a cylindrical punch 82 that projects therefrom through the cup B0 at both ends thereof, the inner end of the punch extending into the tubularv collet 18 and being gripped thereby, the arrangement providing means for adjustingthe axial position of the punch, and for removing the same when desired. Electric current for heating the element 8| is conducted thereto by a pair of conductive Wiressuch as the wire 83, Figures 1, 3, 5 and 6, which wires extend through a suitable recess 84 formed in the cup 80 and reduced portion of the quill, said wires extending to suitable terminals 85 provided on the shaft 32 on opposite sidesv thereof adjacent the head 14. The varrangement is such that the heating element heats the punch 82.

For supplying electric current to the conductors 83, the'shaft 32 is provided with an axial bore'88that extends from the head 14 into the region of the index collar 45. Mounted upon the latter and abutting opposite sides of the flange 46 thereof are respective insulator rings 89, 89, and yextending radially through the shaft 32, from the axial bore 88, and through the index collar 45 and insulator rings 89, are respective bores in each of which is mounted a tubular insulator sleeve 99. Mounted upon each insulator ring 89 is a metal contact ring 9|, and each of the. latterv is radially apertured, in alignment with a .sleeve 90, to receive a metal terminal member 92 that extends to the axial bore 88 of the shaft 32. Within the shaft bore 88 are conductor wires 93, 93 that are connected-at one end to the respective terminals 85 and at their other ends are soldered to the inner ends of the respective terminal members 92. Secured to the bottom of bracket portion 30 of the slide is a bracket or plate 94 that supports a pair of electrical brushes 95, 95 that bear against the periphery of the respective contact rings 9|, there being respective conductor lwires 96 extending from said brushes to any convenient source of electric power (not shown). The arrangement is such as to effect the heating of the punch 82 at all angular positions of the shaft 32.

Slidably mounted for limited axial movement upon thechuck barrel 11 is a tubular chuck cup 98. The chuck barrel is formed with an external peripheral flange 99 at its base, and the chuck cup is formed interiorly with a circumferential shoulder |08, and a compression spring |0| is mounted between said chuck barrel and chuck cup with its ends engaging said flange 99 and shoulder |00 respectively for urging said chuck cup 98 axially, outwardly of the chuck barrel 11. Relative axial movement of the chuck barrel 11 and chuck cup 98 is limited by means of a stud |92 that projects through a short longitudinally extending slot |93 in the chuck cup 98 and is threaded into the chuck barrel. For retaining the chuck cup 98 in its innermost position, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6, a spring-backed ball detent |94 is mounted in. a suitable radial bore in the chuck barrel 11, on the side thereof nearest the housing I0, said ball normally being urged outwardly, and being engageable in a socket formed in the inner end of a tubular bushing |95,

wardly relatively ofthe chuck barrel; to thefextent permitted by the stud". |02'. For; so moving the detent: lildinwardly, a pin orV4 plunger f|08f is: slidably mounted inthe bushing: I":-,.the.finner` end of said pin abutting; the detent |i the outer'` end .of the pin projecting.;beyondftheouterrend? of the bushing, and beingengagedibyfalstudzf|09 that is l adjustably` mountedini the medial. region of a lever ||0. The latter ispivotall'yfmountedat one end upon a pivot pinV ||I carried by a'lpairy of ears, such as.V the ear/l I2, that arerformedon the chuck cup 93, the pivotedend portion of; thev lever being so shaped as.` to limit theangular movement ofthe lever in the direction thatLcarries its free end awayL from the'lhead. On'the other side of the stud. |09 from. the pivot pin the lever is positioned between two, guide-lugs,

such as the lug; I I 3', that'are formed-L on the chuck cup 98, and a compression springf'I|4engaging.y the latterk and the-levenbetweenssaid guide lugs ||3, normally urges the free end' of the lever away from the head tothe extentpermittedby. the formation at the pivoted end ofthe lever. The outwardly directed marginal faceiof thelever ||0, at the free end'thereof, isformedzwith an oblique cam surface ||5 that-is engageable, upon occasion as subsequently will be explained,. with a cam roller I I6 that is.journaled in a' suitable bracket carrieduponta cover plate I I8, the latter being secured tothefr'ont of thehousf ing I0, in front ofthe slide.20. Cam'rollerz` IIE` engages cam surface I|5 oflever ||0Jwhen the chuck portion of the chuck and punchzstructure:

is uppermost andthe slide is: moved. downwardly, as shown in Figure-5; the free end ofthe. lever thereby being moved,` toward the chuck structure and the pin. |08`moved; inwardl'yto press the detent |04 rearwardly;.thereby'to4 release the chuck cup and enablefit to moveaxially under impetus of the spring.. IDI. TheA spring ||4 restores the lever to normal position when it is disengaged from the cam roller yI I6:

The upper end portion of thev chuck cup :98 isy radi-ally slotted at` I I8, H8, saidfslotsbeingthree in number and opening into thefaxialabore 'of the cup. Positioned in slots- I |3-lare respective chuck. jaws I I9 that are pivotally-mountedat` their ends remote from the outer'end loff the cup',;upon re'- spective tangentiallyv disposed pivot pins |20.' At;

their inner end, adjacent the pivotwpinl |20;I eacl'r jaw ||9 is formed wth'a tooth-shaped' lug |2.|n that extends into aslot` |221formed tangentially in the peripheral face ofthe upper endrportion of chuck barrel teeth, the arrangementbeingsuch` that theiree ends of the jawsv |9 are movedlbetween anv inner, work-engaging position andfan outerf wo-rk-releasing position by reason of relative axial' movement between chuck barrel and chuck cup 98. Coaxially mounted upon the outer end of chuck; cup 98;is an annular work seat, or presser pad'. |23. The said pad normally is maintained in: spaced relation to the chuck cup 98 by, means-cfr a plurality of compressionsprings |24 that seat in respective recesses |25in the'end ofthe chuck cup and bear against` the back. of: the presserv pad. Movement of the presserpad` outwardly,

under impetus of the springs |24 is 'limitedby-a plurality of headed studs |26, |25` that project rearwardly from the presser pad andslidingly extend through respective aperturesl |21, Figure` 9, formed in a circumferential flange 98a formed on the outerend of the chuck cup 98.- The presser pad |23 is adapted to supporta rubberr The slots: |22-` are shaped. similarly to the space betweena pair of. gear valve stem such as is shown at |28, Figures, 5, and 6, the valve stem being manually placed thereon with its4 stem portion projecting therethrough' into the axial bore of the chuck cup 98;

The apparatus is adopted to apply the valve stem |28 to an` unvulcanized rubber tube structure after the latter has been apertured by the heated punch 82, a portion of the rubber tube structurefbeing shown at |30. The aperturingf of the tube structure |301 requires the use of a die and asupport for said tube and to this end a rigid, arcuate, hollow die arm bracket |32, Figure 2 is mounted upon' one lateral wall of the housing I0, exteriorly thereof at its base. Upon the outer end of the bracket |32 is mounted a hollow die arm |33 thatextends to a position directly beneath the chuck and punch structure,

there being a thin, flat, metal die plate |34y mounted upon the top of the die arm and extending-somewhat beyond the margin of the latter. 'Ihe die arm and die plate areof such length and transverse area aslreadily to enable a.V substantial length of the end portion of tube |'to be mounted thereon, with the die plate and die arm inside the tube. In exact axial alignment with the axisof 'the chuck and punch structure, the die plate and die arm are formed with a die aperture |35 of proper size to receive the punch 82, whereby a disc of tube material` |36, Figure 5, is punched fromv the tube structure` |30, thus to form an aperture |31, Figure 6, inthe latter.

The discs |36 punched from the tube-material |30are `removed from the interior cf the hollow die arm |33-by. suction, and to this end the outer endof said die arm is closed, asshown in Figure 5, and at its inner end its hollow interior is connected by a ypipe |40f to a receptacle |4|. The

latter preferably is of transparent material, and` is carried by ahead |42 mounted upon one of theA lateral walls of the housing; |0, exteriorly thereof, said receptacle-having fluid-tight connection with said head.` The` pipe- |40 extends through the die arm bracketv |32: and through the housing wall, rising interiorly of the housingv andl extending'laterally into the head |42, with whichithas huid-tight connection. A second4 pipe |43alsohasl fluid tight connection with the headv |42 and extends therefrom. to a suitable source of'suction (not shown). The arrangement is such that the discs |36punched fromthe tube structures |30...are suckedfrom the die arm |33 andldischarged from the pipe |40 into the receptacle |4I. in whichv they are collected.

The wiring diagram of the motor` |3 and its controls-is of knownlconstructionand. is shown in-Figure 10 to which reference now is directed. Electrical energy forv drivingfthe motor I3 is pro-` videdlby power conductors |48, I49land |50 that supply 440 vo1t,.3 phase, 60 cycle electric current tothe motor, said conductors including a manually operable master switch |5I, respective fuses |52, and a control switch |53. that is operated by a. motor-control relay I54as.presently will be explained, said switch |53-being open in the inoperative condition of the apparatus. The motor |3 also is providedwith dynamic-braking that is operated by 125 volt direct electric current supplied bypower conductors |55, |56, which conductors include a manually operated master switchfl5'l, respective fuses |58, and a control switch. |59 that is operated by a brake-control relay` |60 as presently willbe explained, said switch |58 lbeing closed only at determinate time intervals as presently will be explained.

Connectedy to the power conductors |43,

holding circuit |61 connecting conductor |63 to conductor |64 between switches |45, |46 of the latter, said holding circuit including limit switch 28 and a normally open switch |68 that is controlled by relay |66, said switches 28 and |68 being arranged in series. Also connected to conductors |62, |63 is a circuit |18-,thatincludes av normally open switch |1| controlled by relay |66, and the motor-control relay |54 aforementioned, said switch |1| and relay |54 being arranged in series. Also connecting conductors |82, |63 is a circuit |13 that includes a normally closed switch |14 controlled by relay |54, a normally closed switch |15 controlled by a time relay '|16, and the brake-control relay |60 aforementioned, said switches and relay being arranged in series in said circuit. The time relay |16 is in a circuit |13 that is connected to conductor |62, and is connected to conductor |13 between switches |14, |15 therein. Switch |15 is opened by the time relay |16 shortly after the master switch |5| is closed.

The operation of the apparatus is asl follows. Assuming the mechanism to be stationary in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the heating element 8| energised to heat the punch 82, the switches |51, |51 closed, and the suction apparatus operating to createv suction in the die arm |33, the operator rst places a rubber valve stem |28 in inverted position upon the presser pad |23, and then mounts an end portion of an unvulcanized rubber tube upon the vdie arm |33, the suction in the latter creating a shallow dimple in the tube wall so that accurate positioning of the tube readily is achieved. The operator then presses the switch button |45 to set the apparatus in operation. f

Closing of switchy |45 energizes relay |66 and operation of the latter closes switches |68 and |1|, the latter thereupon closing circuit |10 and energizing relay |54. Operation of the latter closes switch |53 and thus sets the motor |3 in operation, and opens switch |14, to open circuit |18 of the time relay |16. As the motorstarts rotating, limit switch 28 closes, thus completing 'I'he said cycle of operation starts when the motor I3 begins turning,-which turning rotates the crank I1 and thereby moves Athe slide 28 downwardly. First result of downward movement of the slide is to carry lever ||`|l of the chuck into engagement .with cam roller H6, thereby resulting in the moving inward of the free end of said lever and the depressing of plunger |08 to move the detent |84 out of its socket in bushing |85. This release thechuck cup 98 and spring ||l| moves it axially upwardly. relatively of chuck barrel 11, as shown in Figure 5, thus swinging jaws ||9 angularly on their pivots until the free ends of the `jaws engage and grip the valve stem |28. Continuedl downward ing movement of the slide withdraws the `punch 82 from the tube wall |130.

During the irstpart of the downward movement of the slide 20 the pinion 38 moved over'the toothed portion of rack 4| and was rotated thereby a little over thereby effecting similar rotation of the ratchet cup 34 and pawls 36, the latter moving in the direction (clockwise as viewed in Figure 4) that caused them to ratchet over the teeth of the ratchet 33. As the pinion 38 passed beyond the teeth of the rack, the plane face 39 of the pinion came to rest against plane surface 43 of the rack, the pinion then sliding along the rack without further angular movement during the remainder of the descent of the slide. Also during descent of the slide the roller 51 on the end of lever 56 of the indexing detent 5| has passed the cam 65 yon the wall of the housing, without effecting movement of said detent, and now is disposed below said cam.

Upon rising movement of the slide 20, the chuck and punch structure retains its position on a vertical axis until about midway of said rising movement, thereby enabling the punch readily to withdraw from the die. Almost midway of the slides rise the roller 51 on lever 56 encounters cam 65, with the result that said lever pivots about its fulcrum on the roller 59 and thereby elevates the detent 5|, against the force of spring 5|, to withdraw the lower end of said detent from its socket 41 in index collar flange 46, thus effecting release of the shaft 32. Immediately thereafter pinion 38 engages the toothed portion Iof rack 4| and is rotated thereby in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4, thereby effecting similar rotation ofthe ratchet cup 34 and pawls 36. This movement ofthe latter causes them to engage the teeth of ratchet 48, and similarly to turn the ratchet and the shaft 32 upon which it is mounted. Movement of the shaft continues until it has turned 180, at which time the slide has reached its uppermost position. The roller 51 in themeantime has passed the cam 55 and spring 53 has moved the detent downwardly into engagement with the' periphery of index collar flange 46, as shown in Figure 7, the detent moving into a socket' 41 in the latter as the shaft 32 completes its 180 of angular movement. The aforesaid angular movement of the shaft'32 reverses the position of the chuck and punch structure lso that the punch is directed upwardly and the chuck is directed downwardly, with the valve stem |28 held in the lower extremity of the latter. The foregoing operations constitute one half a cycle of operation.

Continued operation of the motor again lowers the slide 28 in the manner previously described, thus lowering the chuck and, at the `extremity of said downward movement, carrying the base flange fof the valve stem |28 into face to face engagement with the wall of tube |38, as shown in Figure 6. Because the valve stem is held by the chuck in axial alignment with the punch 82,

movement of the slide forces the heated punch 82 through the wall of tube |38 and through die aperture |35, thereby punching out the disc |36 which thereupon is removed by suction and deposited in the receptacle |4|. Thereafter rissaid` chuck cup.

it follows that the valve stemv will be positioned accurately upon the tube wall |38, in axial alignment with the aperture |31 therein. After downward movement of the chuck has applied the .valve stem to the tube'wall, continuing downchuck barrel and chuck cup causes the free ends of jaws I|9 to spread and releasetheirwgrip `on the valve stem |28, and also causes'the detent |04 to move into registry with the-socket inthe bushing so that upon 7Vsubsequent rise of the chuck the chuck barrel and chuck cup will retain the relative positions shown in Figures 1,3, and.

After attaining its fully lowered Ipositionthe silde begins its rising movement, the mechanism then repeating the sequence of operations previously described whereby the shaft 32 is rotated through 180 whereby the position of the chuck and punch structure is `reversed, to bring the chuck uppermost. During `the foregoing operations the gear I8 hasbeen driving the pinion and cam 26 thereon, and Vasthe slide 20 reaches the top of its second rising :movement the pinion 25, which rotates at half the speed of gear I8, completes 360 of rotation land thus brings cam 26 into operative engagement with the switch 28 thereby opening the electric circuit of the motor I3 and bringing the latter to a stop. This completes a cyclelo'f operation which may be repeated as often `as the operator is able to remove the assembled work 'fromthe apparatus and replace it with other Workpieces.

Referring to Figure l0 it will be seen that opening of limit switch 28 ole-energizes'relay |66 and thus results in opening switch |68 and switch I"I|. Opening of switch I'|| de-energizes relay |.5'll and causes the latter to open 'switch |53 in the power conductors to motor I3, and to close switch II'4 in the dynamic brake circuit |15, thus energizing time relay |15 and causing it to rclose switch |15 in circuit |13. 'When relay |60 is' thus .i

energized it closes switches '|53 in the dynamic brake circuit and dynamic braking is applied to motor I3 to prevent over-run. Relay |50 also opens switch |65, the arrangement providing a safety factor to prevent starting vof the motor while the dynamic brakes are applied. After a determinate brief time'interval, during which the motor I3 is brought to rest, time relay |16 auto matically is de-energized and opens switch |15, whereupon relay |80 is de-*energized 4and opens switch |59 and closes switch |55,"thus restoring the circuit to the inoperative condition shown.

The invention saves time and labor in 'the manufacture lof inner tubes, itproduces a superior product as the result of accurate positioning of the valve stem upon the tube, and it achieves the other advantages set out in the foregoing statement of objects.

Modification may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit of 'the invention or ith-e scope thereof as defined by the appended-claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of `the character described, the combination of a vertically reciprocable slide, means for effecting cyclic operation of fthe slide. each cycle consisting'of two descending and two rising movements, two work engaging ymechanisms in axial alignment with each other carried by the slide, and means for moving said workengaging mechanisms axially into engagement with the work in alternation during successive downward movements ofthe slide.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the

combination of a vertically reciprocable slide,.

means for effecting cyclic operation thereof,each cycle consisting of two descending and two rising movements, a normally vertically disposed structure carried by the slide having work-engaging mechanisms at opposite ends thereof, and means for inverting the said structure in determinate relation to the reciprocation of the slide to present the work-engaging mechanisms to the work in alternation during each operative cycle of the slide.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vertically reciprocable slide, means for effecting cyclic operation thereof, each cycle consisting of a plurality'of descending and rising strokes, a horizontal shaft carried by said slide, a plurality of work-engaging mechanisms disposed in axial alignment transversely of the shaft carried by the latter, and means for rotating said shaft a determinate fraction of a revolution during reciprocation of the slide so as to present the work-engaging mechanisms to the work in succession.

4. In apparatuslof the character described, the combination of a vertically reciprocable slide, means for effecting cyclic operation thereof, each cycle consisting of two descending and two rising movements, a horizontal shaft carried by the slide, a chuck and punch structure carried by the slide, means for turning said structure to reverse the positions of the chuck and punch in determinate relation to the reciprocations of theslide, and means operated by the reciprocation of the slide for causing said chuck to grip a work-piece mounted therein.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 including means operated by pressure against the end of the chuck for causing the chuck to release its grip on the work-piece carried thereby.

6. Apparatus of the character described ccmprising a reciprocable head, a punch and a chuck mounted in axial alignment upon said head, and means for rotating said head on an axis that is transverse to the axis of the punch and chuck, indeterminate time relation to the reciprocation of the head, to reverse `the positions Yof the chuck and punch with relation to the work.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising a 'chuck normally 'disposed on a vertical axis adapted to-receivea work `piece in one `end thereof, means for reciprocating said chuck in a vertical direction toward and awayrfrom a second workpiece, and means for reversing the posi tion of thechuck during movement away from the second work-piece whereby the first workpiece is presented to the second work-piece during alternate reciprocations of the chuck.

'8. Apparatus of the character described comprising a chuck normally disposed on a vertical axis adapted to receive a work-piece in one end thereof, means for reciprocating said chuck in a vertical direction toward and laway from a second workpiecemeans for reversing the positiongof the lchuck during movement away from the second work-piece whereby Vthe first workpiece is `presented to the second rwork-piece during alternate reciprocations of the chuck, and means causing the chuck to grip the iirst Vworkpiece ,and subsequently to release thesame in determinate relation to the reciprocation of the chuck.

9. Apparatus of the'character ,described .cornprising a chuck normally disposed on a vertical axis adapted to receive a work-piece in one end thereof, means 'forreciprocating said chuck in a vertical direction toward and away from aI second work-piece, means for reversing the position of the chuck during movement away from the second Work-piece whereby the first vwork-piece is presented to the second work-piece `during alternate reciprocations of the chuck, said chuck comprising members movableaxially relatively of each other, means actuated by relative movement of said chuck-members for gripping the work-piece therein, and means for eiecting relative axial movement of said chuck members in determinate relation to the reciprocation movement of the chuck as a whole to cause said gripping means rst to grip the Work-piece in the chuck and subsequently to release the same.

l0. Apparatus of the character described comprising a chuck adapted to receive a work-piece, means :for advancing said chuck toward a second work-piece and for retracting it therefrom, said chuck comprising means for gripping the workpiece therein, means actuated by the movement of the chuck toward the second Work-piece for causing the gripping meansto engage the first work-piece, and means utilizing the pressure of the chuck against the second work-piece for causing the gripping means to release said first work-piece.

ll. Apparatus of the character described comprising a chuck adapted to receive a work-piece, means for advancing said chuck toward a second work-piece and for retracting it therefrom, said chuck comprising members movable axially relatively of each other, gripper jaws in the chuck operated by relative movement of said chuck members, means for effecting relative movement of said members in one direction during the advancing movement of the chuck as a whole toward the second work-piece to cause the jaws to grip the rst work-piece, and means actuated by the pressure of the chuck against the second work-piece for eiecting relative movement of the chuck members in the direction that releases the gripper jaws from the iirst work-piece.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising a tubular chuck adapted to receive a coaxially disposed work-piece, means for advancing said chuck toward a second Work-piece and for retracting it therefrom, said chuck comprising two members movable axially relatively of each other, work-gripper jaws in the chuck operated by relative movement of said chuck members, yielding means normally urging said chuck members to relative movement in one direction, releasable means restraining movement of said chuck members,` and means actuated by the movement of the chuck as a whole for operating said releasable means.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising a tubular chuck adapted toreceive a coaXially disposed work-piece, means for advancing said chuck toward a second work-piece and for retracting it therefrom, said chuck comprising two tubular members arranged in telescopic relation and capable of limited relative axial movement, work-gripper jaws carried by one of said members and operated by relative movement of the aforesaid chuck members, a compression spring between said telescoped members urging them to relative movement in one direction, a detent restraining said movement, and means actuated by the movement of the chuck as whole toward the second Work-piece for disengaging said detent.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 in which the last mentioned means comprises a pin operating against the detent, a lever carried by the chuck and arranged to eiect movement of said pin, said lever including a cam surface, and a cam roller mounted in fixed position in the path oi the cam surface of said lever and engaging the latter as the chuck as a whole is moved toward the second work-piece.

RAY D. HULSLANDER. 

